âThatâs not all! How could they walk the red carpet after Ada Kingsley? Who do they think they are?â
âI didnât take any photos of them. Just a waste of my storage space.â
âI know Betty is Javier Beckettâs daughter; and I heard that Zoe is Landon Harperâs sister. They might not be famous, but theyâre filthy rich. I bet they paid a huge sum to show up last!â
Betty and Zoe entered the venue with satisfaction, thinking that they had garnered enough attention.
To their dismay, they found reporters clamoring to interview celebrities like Ada or brand designers. No one wanted to interview the two young ladies at all.
âThis is unacceptable! Are they blind?â Betty stomped when she was given the cold shoulder. âHow dare they ignore us? They donât know their stuff! Donât they know I could end their careers if they get on my bad side?â
âReporters are only after those who are worth something. Theyâll come after you like sharks lusting for blood if youâre famous, well-connected, or influential,â Zoe released her frustration by taunting Betty.
âFine, fine. I donât know anyone in the industry because Mom doesnât want me to be in touch with the media. She says that rich people should keep a distance from the average folks for prestige.â Betty might be Zoeâs partner in crime, but she was no pushover.
She feigned innocence and took a dig at Zoe. âBut Zoe, youâre a socialite in the city and the mentee of a famous pianist. Why didnât they interview you at all? Itâs ridiculous, donât you think? Iâm angry for you.
Should I get a few reporters to chat with you?â
âHmph, thereâs no need for that. I prefer keeping a low profile and hate being watched like animals in a zoo!â Zoe scoffed, anger stirring within her.
The two fake ladies rolled their eyes at each other and turned away.
Suddenly, they heard a flurry of footsteps from behind.
âLook! Itâs Alyssa Taylor!â
âWow! I didnât see her on the red carpet. Turns out sheâs in the venue! Thatâs very slick of her.â
âSheâs the only one here whoâs truly low profile. Not to mention, she managed her hotel efficiently and secured the bid for Ada Kingsleyâs wedding. Sheâs beautiful and capable, unlike those who just throw money around for a red carpet appearance.â
The reporters might not have called Betty and Zoe out, but the two women felt like they were being slapped and shamed.
The reporters swarmed toward Alyssa. In the chaos, two of them bumped into Betty and Zoe, nearly pushing them to the ground.
âArgh! Are you blind or what?â Betty growled, regaining her balance. Meanwhile, Zoe trembled with anger as she watched Alyssa being surrounded by reporters.
âMs. Taylor, what are your thoughts on winning the bid against the Beckett Group for Ada Kingsleyâs wedding?â a reporter shouted a question.
âFirst of all, itâs my honor to work with Ms. Kingsley. I am grateful for her trust in KS World. Secondly, Iâd like to emphasize that the Beckett Group is not on the losing side just because they went after the same business opportunity as we did.
âThe Berenike Hotel has a longer history than the KS World Hotel and has always set the benchmark for the industry. I hope there wonât be any prejudice against the Berenike Hotel, and please donât assume that this competition will strain the relationship between KS Group and the Beckett Group.â
Alyssa knew that she had staged a perfect comeback, but she knew it was important to be moderate.
Sheâd be dumb to gloat about her victory or lower her class by hitting out on the Beckett Group.
âGosh, Ms. Taylor is so charming! Iâm smitten with her!â
âExactly. She remains humble even after winning the project. She has a likable personality. I thought she was mean to wrangle the opportunity from the Beckett Group, but Iâve changed my mind!â
People showered Alyssa with compliments, which only fueled Zoeâs resentment. She clenched her fists, shaking with anger.
All of a sudden, she noticed the ruby earrings in gold on Alyssaâs ears and the matching necklace on Alyssaâs neck.
The Pigeon Blood Rubies are the rarest and the most expensive of all rubies.
Betty stared longingly at the huge rubies on Alyssaâs neck and swallowed hard in envy. Zoe was similarly jealous of Alyssa but soon spotted a detail and quickly hatched a plan.
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